'Johnny English Reborn' has its moments

Athough the entire spy-spoof genre is almost as old as Sean Connery, the redoubtable Rowan Atkinson brings his well-worn shtick to an all-new audience in "Johnny English Reborn," once again inhabiting his Clouseau-like hero in a film that's a bit smarter than "Get Smart," certainly more civilized than "Austin Powers," and yet still provides enough mirth to . . . well, as they say, it's the kind of thing you'll like if you like this kind of thing.

Having allowed a political assassination to occur under his nose in Mozambique -- the mention of which still causes his right eye to twitch uncontrollably -- Johnny has cloistered himself in an Asian monastery when he's called back to action: A group called Vortex is plotting, assassins are afoot, there's a mysterious key that must be found, members of MI-7 are suspect and Johnny has to thwart the powers of evil.

The perfunctory plotline is much more important as a vehicle for Atkinson's antics, but he has some considerable support: Rosamund Pike and Gillian Anderson, who can brighten any movie they're in (and why are they here?), are the very sensible women trying to translate the often unintelligible English; Dominic West plays Johnny's colleague and best friend, Ambrose.

Supporting roles in the likes of this film, however, are largely ungratifying. It's all about Atkinson, who, much like Johnny English, can miss the mark wildly. But when he hits it, he scores.

PLOT After a Zen-flavored Himalayan sabbatical, Britain's most clueless secret agent returns to the fray, putting the kibosh on a band of international assassins and preventing a global crisis. RATING PG (mild action violence, rude humor, language, adult content)

CAST Rowan Atkinson, Rosamund Pike, Dominic West, Gillian Anderson

LENGTH 1:41

PLAYING AT Area theaters

BOTTOM LINE Fatigue is written all over this mock spy thriller, but it does have its moments.